Yellama Devi(Renuka Devi) Temple in Saundatti Karnataka India

Here us Some Information about Yellama Devi Temple in Saundatti Karnataka India.

Location: on top of a hill near Saundatti,Belgaum district ,KarnatakaBuilt in: 1514 Built By: Bommappa Nayak.Dedicated to:Goddesss Renuka also called as Yellamma

Parking Fee:Rs. 20/-

Entry:Free

Special Entrance: Rs. 50/-

Photography:AllowSignificance: One of the most templeTemple Timing: 04:00Am to 2:00Pm,4:00Pm to 2:00 AmVisiting Timing:1 HourBest time to Visit: Oct to FebNearest Railway Station: Dharwad Railway station Nearest Airport: Belgaum Airport

More Information About Yellama Devi Temple Saundatti

Yellama Devi Temple is located on top of a hill near Saundatti town Belgaum district ,Karnataka.The Renuka Devi Temple, or Yellamma Devi Temple (as it is more popularly known), is the most famous pilgrimage spot in Saundatti.Yellama Devi Temple is also known as The Renuka Devi Temple.The temple is dedicated to Goddesss Renuka also called as Yellamma and other deities are Lord Ganesh, Mallikarjuna, Parashurama, Eknaath and Siddheshwara .People believe that the Goddess Renuka Devi is very powerful who
eradicates and punishes ego at the same time more considerate about
Human beings as her own children.Saundatti Yellamma Temple is built in the Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta Style of architecture and the Carvings indicate the Jain architecture.Shree Renuka or Yellamma devi temple, Bengaluru is not just the place for sightseeing, but it also enables you to steal a self-indulgent moment for yourself as well. So, check out the shree renuka yellamma devi temple tourist spot for all the attractions that is on offer and visit this spot on weekends for a rejuvenating time.The Yellamma Temple is managed by the Government and it has made all
provisions such as dharamshalas (free lodges), health centers and other
facilities for devotees to feel at home. The Yellamma Devi Fair is held
every year at the Yellamma Devi Temple at Saundatti.The most surprising and intriguing fact is that thousands flog to the
Yellama Temple to offer themselves to the age-old "Devdasi" system. The
fair is organised five times between November and February, where
jogathis (female) and jogappas (male) are taken in for God's service.

Architecture of Yellama Devi Temple in Saundatti

Yellama Devi Temple was constructed in 1514 by Bommappa Nayak. It is built in a combination of Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta styles. There are smaller temples for Ganesha, Mallikarjuna, Parashurama, Eknaath and Siddheshwara in the temple courtyard. The Government now takes care of the temple management.

History of Yellama Devi Temple in Saundatti

The Yellamma Temple was constructed by Bommappa Naik of Raybag in the
year 1514. The temple has shrines for Lord Ganesha, Mallikarjun,
Parshuram, Eknath, and Siddheswara and many more. Ardent devotees from
Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh come to worship during the time of
Jatras that are held twice a year.

Legend has it that Goddess Yellamma, or Renuka Devi was the daughter
of the King Renuka Raja. The king had performed a yagna or a ritual to
maintain peace, health and harmony. The Gods, who were pleased with him,
blessed him and bestowed on him a girl child through the yagna.

When Renuka Devi was just 8 years old, Saint Agasthya advised the
king to get his daughter married to Saint Jamadagni. Jamadagni and
Renuka Devi got married and they went to live in the Ramshrung
Mountains. Renuka was a dutiful wife and helped Jamadagni in performing
his daily puja and rituals. She used to wake up early, bathe in the
Malapahari River, fill a pot with water which she used to make out of
the sand near the river and then hold a snake and use it as a
convolution to help hold the pot on her head, and use the water to
assist Jamadagni in his rituals.

Eventually Renuka Devi gave birth to five sons, and Ramabhadra was
the youngest and the most beloved of the lot. He was a devout son and he
procured the blessings of Lord Shiva and Parvathi and they gifted him
with the Ambikasthra and hence he was known as Parshuram. He destroyed
evil Kshatriyas who were troubling innocent saints.

Once when Renuka Devi went to bathe in the river, she noticed some
Gandharvas playing in the river and she fell into a reverie thinking of
herself playing in the river with her husband. For a brief span, she had
lost her concentration and devotion and found herself unable to shape a
pot out of the river bank clay. Nor was she able to convolute the snake
to hold the pot.

When she returned home empty handed, Jamadagni cursed her angrily and
asked her to leave the place. After being cursed by her husband, she
ventured towards the east and sat in deep meditation. In her dream, she
met the saints Eknath and Joginath who advised her to on what to do for
three days, to appease her husband.

They advised her to bathe in the nearby lake, and worship the Shiva
linga they had given her. Then she was asked to go to the city and
collect rice from the houses there. After collecting the rice, she was
told to give them half of it, and then she was instructed to cook the
remaining half of the rice with jaggery and to partake of it with full
devotion. After three days of this ritual, she was supposed to return to
her husband; they promised her that she would be eternally united with
her husband and humanity would start worshipping her.

Just as they had instructed, Renuka, after performing these rituals,
returned home on the fourth day. Jamadagni was still angry and he
ordered his sons to behead her. While all four resisted, their father
cursed them to turn into eunuchs. Parshuram obeyed his father and
beheaded Renuka Devi but her head started multiplying and spreading in
various directions.

About Shri Yellamma Devi Fair

Shri Yellamma Devi fair at Saundatti is held about 5 times between
October and February. But the largest is the one held on the full moon
day of Margasira.Yellamma Devi FairThe Yellamma Devi fair is held at the Yellamma temple
located in Saundatti of Belgaum district. The Yellamma temple is the
shrine of Yellamma Devi or Renuka, wife of Sage Jamadagni. The temple is
located atop a hill known as Yellammagudda.
Even though the Yellamma Devi fair is held on many occasions between
October and February, the biggest celebration takes place on the full
moon day of Margasira. On this auspicious day known as the Bharat
Hunnime, the famous Neeramanavi Yellamma jatra is taken out. On this
occasion, the goddess Yellamma is worshipped in the manner of Shakti
Puja, complete with all its attendant rituals.
During the Yellamma Devi fair, women become Devadasis or slaves of God.
This age-old practice has been dubbed as religious prostitution by NGOs
and other social organizations. More than 30 thousand devotees from
Raichur, Bellary, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar, Belgaum and
various districts of Maharashtra, Andhra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa
participate in the Yelamma fair and the car festival.

By Road : There are many public and private vehicles available to reach Yellama Devi Temple Saundatti . Saundatti is well connected with road network. Saundatti Yellamma Temple can be reached from all places.The KSRTC buses available to react there.

By Rail : The Nearest Railway station is Dharwad Railway statio.Dharwad Railway station is well connected all major railway station.